5 Steps to Choosing the Right Martial Art for You

One of the questions I get asked most frequently, in several different variations is about which martial art an individual should study. Generally which martial art, and more importantly which school to choose are fundamental decisions someone should make. My answer is usually something along the lines of, “choose the school and the system that you are going to stick with and stay with it for the rest of your life.”

The reality is that the answer is going to be different for every person. What I will attempt to do in this article is give you a set of general guidelines. I will talk in very broad terms about different martial arts, and what to look for in a school. Ultimately every teacher, at every school, in every system is going to be completely different.

1. Dispelling a common myth

Just like with religion and politics, many people honestly believe that what they do is the best thing in the world. One only has to make a cursory study of the psychological principle of cognitive dissonance to see why this is so. So many schools out there claim to be teaching, “the ultimate, deadliest, most secret, guarded system of self defense ever invented by the gods of combat.” To be quite blunt – they are full of crap.

In one respect, much of this stuff is a marketing stance. Heck, everybody wants to study the best thing in the world. If such a thing existed everybody would study it. Some martial arts schools can become very cult like as well, and this is where the cognitive dissonance comes in. The practitioners actually believe their marketing stuff.

The truth is that style is not going to fight for you – you are. Every person is different and there is not one best system for everyone. It would be quite scary for me to face a sumo wrestler in combat, but it would also be silly for me to expect to take up Sumo and be good at it.

Claims of superior systems that can make you as deadly as a Navy SEAL in 24 hours also stem from American culture. It is unfortunate that we of the MTV and Internet generation are always looking for a shortcut, a quick fix. It makes many of us miss a lot of very valuable and important stuff.

2. Let’s start with you

If I can help you answer a few key questions about yourself and your interests, you will have done most of the work toward picking out a martial arts school that is best for you.

First and foremost, what do you want to get out of martial arts training? Yes, yes, I know you want to learn self defense – put that on the list. But people study martial arts for a variety of reasons. You want to get some exercise, you want to meet new people, you want to get rid of stress, you want a new hobby, and you think the uniforms look cool. Really think about it and write down your reasons. Everything is valid and your reasons are your own. Then I would prioritize your reasons – which ones are more important than others. Maybe getting into shape is your main goal – if so, that may help determine a place to study.

3. What style?

Now, let’s talk a little bit about systems or styles. A system is just the type of martial art you will be studying like Karate, Kendo, or Kung Fu. The differences between styles may also help you to determine where to look.
The main difference between most martial arts style is focus. Some arts like Tae Kwon do focus on large kicking movements, while others – like Kendo focus on a particular weapon. Body type and interest (as we discussed before) will help you think a little about style focus. For example: I am built like a fireplug – short and wide, am somewhat slow and am very interested in the self defense aspect of training. Ketsugo Jujutsu turned out to be the best style for me as it focused on unbalancing the opponent, the kicks were low to the ground, and the fighting in close where we short guys excel.

Beyond focus is a scale of formality to informality. To me formality is a measure of emphasis on things like training etiquette, ceremony, style of dress, method of addressing seniors etc. Many Japanese and Korean styles are very formal. On the far end of the informal scale you might have a cardio kickboxing class at local gym. On the far end of the formal scale you might have a style like Kendo which places a lot of emphasis on appearance and etiquette.
Neither formal nor informal is better or worse; it is a matter of preference. I personally enjoy some of the formalities of traditional Japanese martial arts. For me they build character and shape a strong state of mind that carries over into day to day life. For others, the formalities may be difficult to grasp and they may wish for something less formal.

The following is a list of styles I have arranged from most to least formal. This arrangement is from my own best knowledge and is neither absolute nor inclusive. Many would rightfully disagree with where I have placed things on the list, but this is meant to be a general guideline. Again, every single teacher in every different school is going to be different. This is meant as a starting point:-Formal
Kendo / Kumdo
Aikido
Tae Kwon Do
Karate
Jujutsu
Kung Fu
Silat
Ninjutsu
Tai Chi / Bagua / Hsing-yi
Arnis / Kali / Escima
Capoeira
Kickboxing
Boxing-Informal

While you’re on the web already, it would pay off to do some research. Look up a few sites for a few of the styles I have listed here. Get some general information about focus and formality. See what strikes you as interesting. Make a small list of styles you might be interested in pursuing.

4. Practical Issues

OK, now you’ve done some soul searching and some research and you have a list of styles you might be interested in learning. Now we have to talk a little bit about lifestyle. If Kendo interests you, but the nearest school is 200 miles away – it may not be a practical choice.

You can certainly look through your yellow pages to find schools close to you or ask people you know if they know of any schools. A word to the wise: friends will always try to get you to come to their school and may get offended of you don’t or if you visit and then don’t want to sign up. That’s definitely something to consider.

Some practical things to consider are school location and proximity to home / work, costs and your ability to pay dues and other fees, class schedule and how it fits into your schedule. Other things may also be important to you like parking, and facilities – write them down.

You should narrow down your potential list of schools based on your criteria, but you should still plan on visiting more than one to give you a sense of comparison.

5. Choosing a school

The following are a list of things I suggest you look for when choosing a school or instructor. To me, these factors are more important than any other of the above factors and can make or break your martial arts experience.

•When you call the school, are all your questions answered, and answered honestly? Sometimes someone will answer the phone that may not be able to answer all your questions. They should pass you on to someone who can , or have someone call you back.

•Every school out there should offer at least one free trial class before you sign up. How else can you determine if you want to study there? Your best bet is to try out several different schools to give you some comparison.

•When you visit the school, is the practice safe, or are students allowed to train in dangerous ways or without proper supervision?

•Is the school itself hygienic and free from unsafe conditions?

•Do students and teachers show respect toward everyone? This extends beyond formal bowing and address to making sure everyone is learning and nobody is being abused.

•Be prepared that many schools these days require a contract like a health club. Make sure you are clear on the terms of the contract if you do decide to sign one, and do not be afraid to walk out if you are uncomfortable with the terms.

•Be very wary of cult-like schools that try to up-sell you to intensified black belt programs and the like. While some of these may be legitimate, there are many scam artists in black belts out there. You should be very clear about what you are paying for up front.

•Do the teacher and senior students display a lot of skill in the art they are teaching? This may be hard to determine since great martial artists are often very subtle. However, the teacher and students should display knowledge, skill, and balance which might be more obvious.

•Most importantly, trust your instincts. If something about the school doesn’t sit right with you, then it probably isn’t right. Look out for the fast talking salesman who tries to sweep your concerns under the rug.

Remember that choosing the right teacher and the right school is more important than the actual style. If you choose a school that you enjoy, study with a teacher you like, and train with students that inspire you – you are likely to stick with your martial art. The longer you stick with it – the better you’ll get. Hopefully you will discover a very positive lifelong journey that will shower hidden benefits on you as my martial art has upon me.

Author's Bio:

John Moore is a recognized expert in personal protection and a founder of Martial Training Systems LLC. He resides in Boston and provides professional consultation and training, products, and services related to self-defense and physical conditioning. He has trained in martial arts since the age of 10 including Arnis, Kenpo, Kyokushinkai, and 7 years of Ketsugo Jujutsu under Sensei Peter Freedman. Mr. Moore is currently completing a masters degree in dispute resolution. He is a certified fitness instructor. He also is a sought-after speaker, entrepreneur, and author - spending 90% of his time consulting in the corporate world.

Hi there, I'm 110 pounds and am about 5 foot 3 i reckon. I'd like to learn a fairly informal style which uses punches and footwork, im not a huge fan of kicks but thats probably because I don't know how to effectively execute them. This is more for fun than anything else but it would be nice to have a little self defence at the end of it. Thankyou. Great article by the way :)

I'm a 21 year old male, about 6'0, around 140 lbs and pretty thin and lean. I'm not super strong but i'm fast, very agile and have lots of energy. I've been practicing Shito Ryu Karate for about a year, and I feel like it just doesn't suit me. I'd like to learn a martial art that affords more agility and speed. I'd prefer an art which is mainly striking, but includes other techniques as well. Oh, and if it includes weapons training, like the sword or spear then that's definitely a huge bonus!
My reasons for learning are many, discipline, focus, fitness, to protect myself and others, and just because I think its fun.
So what do you guys think would suit me? Any info or advice is really appreciated.

Hello I am 5'10 and weigh 238 pounds I'm 16 years old. I not very fast but I am strong. I am looking to get into better shape but I am more focused on learning a martial art. I would prefer a style that focuses on aggressive offence and throwing the opponent or knocking them down. what would be a good style to start with and am I to old/young to start. I have never had any form of training. please respond. thank you.

Hi.
I've no experience in martial arts but I'm looking to try something new. I'm 162cm & 60kg female. I'm going to try a Bjj class but not sure i like the idea of all that grappling. I'd like something that combines grappling, kicking, hitting, blocking... A bit of everything. I'm looking into martial arts for self defence as well as to increase my strength, fitness & as an 'outlet'. What would you recommend?

Hapkido would be good for you, it has hitting kicking blocking and grappling but ground fighting focuses on getting up and you spend less time in the guard ( with someone between your legs on the ground). Hakpkido is also often taught in combination with self-defense and many instructors will offer a self-defense angle on common techniques.

I'm a 35 year old male. 5'11" tall, 172lbs, average build. Trained in modern wing chun and Jeet Kune Do concepts for 4-5 years. Haven't been physically active for the past 15 years so I am out of shape with poor cardio but I still have good strength and sense of balance. I'm also quite flexible and can still do high kicks with precision. I want to get in shape and pick something that would complement my styles. I like BJJ and want to try it out eventually if I find a good school but I wanna be able to grapple on my feet too and I'm concerned that in a self-defense situation I could be kicked in the head while I am on my back on concrete or pavement. No intention of competing or getting into MMA. Judo seems to be a good option but it's high impact and I am not sure if risk of injury is high. What would you advise? Thanks in advance.

If your emphasis is self defense & survival rather than competition, there are a number of modern "combatives" styles popping up, as well as styles like Krav Maga. You could also check out my "Self Defense and Survival Skills" series of books featuring 6 different ancient styles of martial arts, each intended for a different situation & type of opponent. Each volume presents a different style and a new volume is being released each month. The series is scheduled to be finished around January, but the first 3 volumes are already available.

Judo was simplified from Japanese Jujutsu after W.W.II and dangerous techniques for life & death situations were deliberately left out under the premise that the world was now at peace and they were unnecessary. Kano, the founder of Judo, eventually moved to Brazil and I heard married into the Gracie family which started the Gracie/Brazillian JuJitsu movement. Most dojos teaching either one are focused on sparring & tournaments, rather than self defense. Most styles completely ignore the issue of multiple opponents.

I am 17 years old 5'3 and 117 pounds, i am interested in getting a new hobby. What would be the best martial arts for me? I would want something that will get me in shape, the only martial arts that are taught around me are MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu, Tae-Kwon-Do, Karate, and Judo. I don't plan on getting into any fights but if I did it would be benificial to be able to defend myself. I greatly appreciate any help

hey im 16 years old and i weigh 85kg and im 6 foot 1. I am not fat but kinda chubby, i got a small belly and small man boobs. Otherwise im very active. I play sports like 3days/week. I have a gym near me so i can start working out, only if i get time ( alot of school work). But i really want to learn some type of martial arts, i mean i was motivated by so many movies and also because im not that fit compared to many of my friends. I basically want to learn for self defense and get stronger. getting stronger and more " fierce" is my objective now ,also losing weight. I tried out for boxing like last month, but i quit a week later because the extreme conditioning was too much for me. They made me do like 100 push ups and stuff, couldnt handle it. I want to learn a good martial arts that will help me in street fights as well as on the ground. Like i want to be able to win fights either with kicks, strikes, or submissions. Can yo help me out, what do you think is best for me. Thanks

You could try karate or kung fu, jujutsu or Brazilian Jujitsu, kickboxing or Krav Maga. The conditioning level is going to depend on the instructor. There are many books, videos, & self study systems available. If you want more of a reference for comparing different styles, you could pick up a paperback or e-book copy of "Secrets of the East: Ancient Warrior Ways of Success & Survival" from Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com or one of several other book sites. It shares the techniques & philosophies from 6 different ancient styles & compares them to some modern styles.

Oh alrite i will check that book out, but like do you think i will be able to do well in kungfu or juitisu because well im not fat, but i got a belly and i get tired usually. I want to be able to increase my stamina and just bascially get stronger. Which is the best for getting stronger and being able to win a fight fast, like k0 fast or do quick killing submissions

First things first. Rather than trying to win, build up your defense. Just being able to block and dodge can keep you from getting killed in a one on one confrontation. If the opponent is persistant and keeps attacking there will eventually be an opening for counter-attack. Training for a few hours each week to the point where you're sweating will improve your stamina and strength. Practicing in between training sessions will improve your skills. Getting to the point where you can't be beaten and waiting for an opponent to make a mistake is the key of many martial arts.

Very true, thanks for the tips. I also have a concern. The places near me that teach kung fu or jitsisu or whatever cost a lot of money. They are charging around 150 for a month, and honestly i cant afford that. So i dont know what to do, i live in toronto. Can i self learn at home from youtube or something, i dont know=/

Money is often a problem. Many instructors in Japan charge ten thousand yen(~$100.00) per month. Some instructors will work with you on the price or let you pay by the lesson. It can help to have an instructions checking your movement and to have a training parter or several to practice techniques on, but 90+% is your own work. There are videos on DVD & VHS & on YouTube illustrating techniques as well as thousands of books. You can make a practice dummy from scratch if need be. If you have the determination, you'll find a way.

Very true, thanks for the tips. I also have a concern. The places near me that teach kung fu or jitsisu or whatever cost alot of money. They are charging around 150 for a month, and honestly i cant afford that. So i dont know what to do, i live in toronto.

Very true, thanks for the tips. I also have a concern. The places near me that teach kung fu or jitsisu or whatever cost alot of money. They are charging around 150 for a month, and honestly i cant afford that. So i dont know what to do, i live in toronto.

I'm 36, 5'4" and 200 lb. I'm in pretty poor shape right now. I've always been very touch-sensitive and want to overcome that and toughen up a bit. I used to do a lot of biking so my legs are much stronger than my arms. My goals are practical self defense and an exercise program that will hold my interest enough that I stick with it and lose some weight. Martial arts might be the motivation I need to finally get into shape. I don’t know how well I'll handle being hit but it's a fear that I want to overcome. I may need to be conditioned for it more slowly though so boxing is out.
The highly practical aspects of Krav Maga have caught my interest but I may not be able to handle it yet.
I also need to feel like I'm accomplishing something towards my goals on a regular basis so I stick with it. If I finish every session sore and bruised and don't feel I'm any better off for it I won't last long. What would be a good art for a marshmallow like me to start with? Thanks!

It sounds like your main goal is weight loss, which makes you a good candidate for Tae Bo or Cardio Kickboxing. They don't do much sparring so you don't need to worry about being hit. The classes are fast paced, often set to music, & there are even video courses available if there aren't any instructors in your area.
If you'd prefer more discipline you could check out some Kung Fu classes. They have a slower pace. It's usually forms practice, and they do some lite sparring using protective equipment.

Hey i'm 18 years old about 65kg and 180 tall.I want to learn a martial art but i dont know what to chose.I want to learn something that give's me self defense(like evading,dodging and then to be able to land a counter attack) some attacking skills and self control.Mostly self defense.Any ideas?
P.S:i go to the gym.

Your requirements could be filled by any martial art from sports like boxing & kickboxing to weightloss systems that you obviously don't need like cardio kickboxing & TaeBo to more ancient systems like kung fu & KoBuDo or their derivatives like Karate; Judo; BJJ; and Krav Maga.
Effective self defence will depend on who your opponent might be. Of those I listed, Krav Maga and KoBuDo styles like Kuki Ryu are more likely to suit your height. You could always check out several schools of those that are available in your area. It's always a good idea to ask if you may sit in and watch a few classes, taking notes about what you like and dislike about each one. If you want a reference to compare them you could buy my book: "Secrets of the East; The Ancient Warrior Ways of Success & Survival" from Amazon.com or Amazon Europe.

Hi, I'm 18 years old weigh about 85 and I'm about 175-180cm tall, I've just recently got interested in martial art. I preferred Kung fu especially Wing chu style but i don't know it suits me and my weight. My only motivation for it is I love martial art would you recommend me the style of martial art that you reckon would suit me. should I go with what I like or the one suit me the most.

Hi, I am a 14 year old male who stands 6'0" and weighs 72 kg. I have been researching martial arts but I still can't find one that is right for me. I have a brother who has been doing Taekwondo and i was thinking of joining him but i don't think kicking is one of my strengths. I have great upper body strength and would like to learn a martial art for defensive purposes. Any suggestions?

I have 2 suggestions for you.
1. Check several martial arts schools in you area and ask to sit in on a lesson. Make notes about each one and check their prices and rank requirements. You could choose from one of those or check into a distance learning course from some other style.
2. Ask your parents to buy my book from Amazon.com or Amazon Europe so you'll have a reference comparing many styles. The title is: "Secrets of the East: The Ancient Warrior Ways of Success & Survival" and it is available as a softcover book or as a Kindle e-book.

hi i'm a 18 year old girl..5'3 and 55kg. could you please give me some advice on what martial arts should i learn in terms of self defense? I thought of learning aikido but i have a mild scolio so i think it wasn't a good idea. and is it too late for me to learn a martial art? everyone started at a young age.

You might balance out your martial arts training with some yoga practice to fix that back problem or pick a dojo that does lot's of stretching before class. There's no such thing as too late if you're willing to immerse yourself in something. Aikido is a fine place for you to start.

Hello, I'm 6'4" and about 220 pounds. I actually look very think for my size. I'm kind of strong and pretty fast even though I smoke. Most of my strength is in my back. I have very long legs and arms, so I have incredible reach. I want to start taking martial arts so I can defend myself when the time arises and to get in better shape. What style would you recommend for me?

I was wondering what type of martial art would be best for me. I am 18, 185 lbs and 6'0". I have been a runner for all of my life, and distance running has built plenty of mental toughness as well as endurance. I am pretty well rounded though, I also have the explosive power in my legs from being a jumper and sprinter. I have good core strength and average upper body strength. The majority of my strength is in my legs though. I have excellent balance and above average flexibility. I have a solid athletic build. So I was just wondering what styles would work best for me. If you could, post several so i can keep my options open. Thanks.

Im at 18 year old male, 5'9" 170 pounds, im looking to get balance, discipline, and self defense skills out of martial arts. I want to practice hitting pressure points, some body flipping, mostly hand movements and attacks, last but not least inner equilibrium.
By the way, you wrote a gnarly article and youre taking it over the top with the Q&A, keep it up Michael!

Hey just needed some advice on what martial art to try. Im 6'0 160, I'm a swimmer but due to some shoulder problems (rehabing) I dont swim as much as I used to. Need something else to keep my endurance and strength up. Any ideas? I was thinking about kendo or aikido but I dont know if that used a lot of strength from my shoulders.